RAMS (8-6) at NEW YORK JETS (4-10)
When: 10 a.m. PT Sunday
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
TV/Radio: CBS Ch. 2/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 385, 230
Line: Rams by 3.5
Notable injury designations
Rams: None.
Jets: OUT: CB Michael Carter II (back); QUESTIONABLE: OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), DL Quinnen Williams (hamstring), RB Braelon Allen (back), DL Leki Fotu (knee).
What’s at stake? The Jets are long out of the playoff race, but the Rams are in first place in the NFC West by virtue of a tiebreaker. They have the chance to move a game ahead in the standings should they beat the Jets and second-place Seattle lose to the Vikings later Sunday.
Who’s better? Don’t get it wrong: The Jets are actually playing good football of late, despite what their record indicates. The offense is 14th in estimated points added (EPA) per play this season, one spot behind the Rams. The defense holds opponents to a 37.4% conversion rate on third downs. But the Rams are the team that has learned how to close out games and find ways to win.
Matchup to watch: Rams WR Puka Nacua vs. Jets CB Sauce Gardner. This may not end up being the battle that tilts the result of the game. But from a pure entertainment standpoint, you can’t argue with this matchup between one of the league’s best receivers and one of the league’s best cornerbacks. The two Pro Bowlers have the size and physicality to make this a really intriguing head-to-head to watch Sunday.
Rams win if: They record four sacks to make sure QB Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have time to get the ball out to WRs Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams. … RB Kyren Williams runs for more than 120 yards. … QB Matthew Stafford extends his streak of games without an interception to six.
Fantasy sleeper: TE Tyler Higbee. We’d expect Higbee’s snaps to be limited if he makes his season debut Sunday after offseason knee surgeries. But he’s always been a favorite red-zone target of Stafford’s, so don’t be surprised if the Rams draw something up to get him in the end zone.
Prediction: Rams 30, Jets 21. Beat reporter’s record: 10-4 for the season; 9-5 against the spread.